The Etiology and Epidemiology of Schizophrenia

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Abstract
Schizophrenia is one of the most important mental disorders from a public health viewpoint. Knowledge of etiology and epidemiology is inadequate since studies have concentrated on severe cases only. Studies are difficult because it is hard to specify objective diagnostic criteria; competent psychiatrists vary in their diagnostic judgment; and there is a gradient of severity. Recent studies have shown that the older view that schizophrenia is basically an autistic disorder with associative impairments should be replaced by a recognition that schizophrenia consists of an impairment of capacity to integrate inner and outer stimuli in a repetitive way, probably due to damaged subcortical functioning, as a consequence of metabolic disturbances, psychogenic forces or both. Public health preventives can focus attention on the important problems. Today''s treatments can often change severe cases to mild cases; but no one can properly claim an ability to terminate schizophrenia. Prevention of schizophrenia although frequently spoken of, is not possible with today''s knowledge.

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